Summary: Ryoma and Atobe were desperately in-love, just not with each other. It tore them to realize they could never have their heart's desire so they turned to the next best thing… an affair with one another. Devoid of feelings, succumbing to their needs… until it became something else. But what if their feelings were actually being returned?
Rating: It is still T for non-explicit adult contents. The explicit parts are still to come…
Pairings: Royal Pair. Thrill Pair. Imperial Pair, Perfect Pair
Disclaimer: I DOn't own Prince of Tennis or any of its character. If I did it would officially become a yaoi anime and well… use your perverted imaginations!
Warning: This is a yaoi story. It has boy x boy love here so for those who can't appreciate such thing you are warned. There are some sexual innuendos here. Proceed at our own risk.
AN: I know I said last chapter that there will be a lemon here but after reading and re-reading this one over and over again I found myself re-writing it. So here is the new and improved chapter four. I'm leaving the lemon for future chapter.
I'm so sorry for the very late update. I did not anticipate the effects of the holiday season in my day to day activities. I do not have my own internet connect so being stuck at home doing cooking and entertaining meant no time to go out to an internet café… But very soon I'll have my very own internet connection! That's going to be my dad's belated Christmas gift.
To make up for my tardiness I'm posting a new story entitled Ryoma's Lover. It is a six chapter mini story that I finished during the holiday season (at least it has been fruitful ^^). I hope you'll enjoy that story. The full summary can be seen at my profile. And I made this chapter extra long (at least longer than any other chapters I've posted…).
I would like thank all those who read the last chapter, especially those who made the effort to review. You rock people!
tsub4ki: I did not want it to turn out like Ryoma and Atobe are fickle with their feelings. I wanted this story to be believable and if Ryoma and Atobe did become an item there will be no doubt about the sincerity of their feelings for each other. I also wanted to show how hard it is to come clean in a prospective relationship. Despite the generic 'I love you, you love me' flow it doesn't often happen in reality and I want to show that all of the have contributed one way or another to the non-progress of their feelings.
Hell Brat Kikuri: Yep, I'm updating now!
flying jade: More or less I've decided on the pairing. But I'll give it another chapter or two before I formally announce because I'm easily swayed, and I made this story on a way that the choices I've given can easily manifest.
12nothings: Yeah, I wanted some royal pair actions (my inner royal fan side has been screaming at me non-stop!). And I'm posting the second chapter of my pillar pair story so watch out for it!
1xmocha: Thank you so much. Don't worry, I'm working on my OT5 story and it'll ne out soon (I hope).
luckystar03: I know the fourth chapter is super late and I apologize thoroughly…
alaine: The team's reaction will have to wait for the time being… but it'll be priceless!
Kuroi and Shiroi: Yeah, the fourth chapter's up!
hyperdude: Thank you!
Clow Angel: You're the first reviewer who critiqued my story… Thanks! I'll sure be working on them more.
2-D-A-N-I-0: I've decided against the lemon for the time being. That doesn't mean I won't be trying to write one in the future. It seems much better when I retyped the whole chapter four…
wackylou: Sorry, sorry, sorry! I wanted to update on time, I really did. But I couldn't…
vhevhe: I try to make each chapter better than the last one, so thank you for appreciating it!
xxsneakydevxx: I'm sorry for the late update. I'll make it up to all of you… I'm so happy you love this story. And I'll try to update more in the future.
kat: Seems like you doubled the review… was it a mistake or deliberate? ^^ Either way, thanks for reviewing!
Crooked Mile: It's better late than never, I always say! I love your story by the way, and since I'm updating I would like to request you to update your story soon too V^^V.
Now I present to you chapter four of Double Standards. Read, enjoy and review!
Chapter Four: Almost
He watched the familiar but unknown figure of Seigaku's ace sophomore. He sent a smirk at the direction of the lone figure of the brunette, his smaller stature compared to his sempais towering over their presence. The enigmatic second year, like himself, has been creating a name in the junior high tennis circuit. The great talent was uncanny, his strength barely out in the open. But he was not Atobe's target for today.
Atobe was scheduled for the singles one match, if Seigaku ever reached that far. They were down two games to one and when Hyotei's captain finished off the sophomore their advancement at the Kantou Takai and their participation at the nationals will be secured. He sat regally at the bleachers, paying attention at the on-going match if only to gather some data rather than actually being interested. He was sure that his captain would win.
However a few games later Atobe was certain of the outcome as he watched with rapt attention. Hyotei's captain would loose, there was no more doubt about that fact. Tezuka Kunimitsu, as he learned the name of Seigaku's wonder sophomore, showed excellence beyond his wildest expectations. There was no chance that his sempai was going to come on top of this one.
Atobe was enthralled by what he was witnessing. He always knew he was a self-absorbed person, especially about his accomplishments, but he always have the skills to back it all up. But this… he had to raise his cap, if he had one at the moment, to the young brunette who annihilated his foe without so much a bat of his eyes. He knew when he saw greatness, and this was one of them.
And as the match went on he observed the young Seigaku regular more and more. He took note of how he gracefully reached out to the corners of the court. He noted how the sweat plastered his shirt to his well-built body. He viewed as he performed one move after another flawlessly. He watched as muscles contract under the workout, how his skin glowed under the blaze of the sun, how his lips parted to catch his breath…
In that moment that Tezuka Kunimitsu stood proud and strong in the middle of the court there was no doubting of the boy's strength. Even under the scrutiny of the audience and scouts from other schools, of facing a seasoned player under the tutelage of the famous Hyotei Gakuen Tennis Club he never faltered nor showed any hint of weakness.
Tezuka stood atop with courage and strength. It looked like nothing and no one could ruffle his cool. But Atobe smirked as he saw past the façade.
For he knew that deep down the boy was afraid to disappoint, to let down his teammates, as Atobe himself was. He could see it in his eyes, as those intense pools of hazel shifted from the score board to the expectant look of his teammates. He could sense it from his stance, the way he braced himself from every shot to prevent from making any fatal mistake. He could attribute his accurate observations from his infamous insight but Atobe knew that it was more than just his special talent. He was just like Tezuka, out to prove himself to the world, to the people that mattered, to himself. They were a kindred soul, bound by their need to excel in the sport they had chosen to devote their talent into, and the determination to stand up proudly despite their fears.
And when it was Atobe's turn to enter the hard court he threw another look at the Seigaku junior with one unconscious thought in his mind.
'I'll make you notice Ore-sama. Just the way you made Ore-sama notice you'
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The air was cool, the late night/early dawn breeze contradicting the heat generated by their bodies. The moon was up, bright and full, casting shadows as they stumble around for direction. The place was quiet, only the soft whisper of the of the night audible as the sound of hands roaming bodies, clothes rustled beyond order, of lips meeting another pair resonated in the room.
Atobe placed his arms around the petite boy's body as he guided them towards his bed, all the while trying to devour him with his mouth. The kiss was hot and wet and passionate and if he closed his eyes he could almost pretend he was with his precious Tezuka. Almost, for even if he was trying to delude himself he knew the person in his arms right now could never be the Seigaku captain.
He knew he still has a chance to back out, to return to the rational world. Despite the ardor he was exercising as they carry out their heavy make-out session a small rational part of his brain still yelled for him to stop. He was not Tezuka, and having sex with not only another person but also the pillar he was trying to mold for Seigaku would not help in his quest for the brunet's affection.
But while his reason battled it out for dominance Atobe allowed his impulse to dictate his actions for the time being.
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Smack. Thwack.
The sound of the yellow green tennis ball making contact with the nylon strings of the tennis racket was lost to the people scurrying to and fro in grounds of the tennis courts. The sudden downpour had put a halt to the practice session that moment. Tezuka could be heard giving out instructions to the club members to clear out the courts.
The rain was coming down with vengeance; the torrent hammered them swift and hard. As each member bustled to gather their club's equipments and thus finally be able to seek shelter from the rain a continuous echo of ball hitting racket sounded, and this time, though faintly, some of the club members did hear.
Steely blue eyes met defiant orbs burning with golden fire. The message was sent, the gauntlet was thrown, and the challenge was accepted. They were going to finish this today, settle this once and for all. With their hair sticking to their faces and their clothes plastered to their lithe bodies they charged head on.
The other regulars were first to freeze, turning their attention to the court where a raging battle was still underway. And as the rest of the team soon realized what was happening they stopped whatever they were doing and focused their attention to their two club members still fighting tooth and nail under the crying sky.
Ryoma sent the ball back to the other side of the court, already anticipating the return that will come to his way. He did not doubt that Fuji would return his shot. He gripped his racket harder by instinct, not really noticing the reason behind the unconscious adjustment. The water was soaking him to the bone, but that was also a detail left unnoticed. All that his senses could decipher was the rush of adrenaline, pumping through his veins and sending excitement coursing throughout his body.
No one made any move to put a stop to the match. The others were fascinated. Even Tezuka had stopped on his track to focus on his battling comrades. He loathed stopping the match. It was one of the rare moments when Fuji played seriously, and he was giving his all at the moment. And Echizen was not only playing. He was actually enjoying the match, not only for the sole purpose of overcoming another strong player but because it was simply tennis.
This was the game Ryoma had been looking for. It was pure and simply a game of tennis, one that he had seeked to play. There was no lessons to be learned, no person to reach. It was a game he actually, truly, purely enjoyed. And at that moment nothing mattered aside from the teen before him, all his reactions and movements. How his muscles strained at every shots he made, how his eyes narrowed fractionally to decide the correct counter, on how his arms and legs reached out.
He felt his heart hammer under his ribs. Goosebumps ran through his body and he felt his stomach fluttered suddenly. And he smiled, reflecting the smile his opponent was sporting. The smile was not lost to the audience they had gathered, a mixture of challenge and genuine gladness. But he did not notice them. He had cut off the rest of the world and focused his eyes solely on this match.
On this person. On how the honey-colored locks were darkened under the wetness and clung to his head. On how his clothes outline the hard planed of his seemingly fragile body. On how his lips moved in a delighted smile, not the same smile he normally bestows upon them but a true and genuine smile. On how his eyes looked at him with intensity and hunger
On this feeling. Of the sudden lump in his throat, making words harder but not coming in the way of the smile reflecting the other. Of the beating of his heart, blocking the noise around them. Of his sudden desire rising from the depths of his being, seeking, wanting to own, craving to have those steely cerulean eyes focus on him and him alone.
And that was when Echizen Ryoma realized how much he wanted Fuji Syuusuke.
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The lights of the room cast a warm shadow over their body, but the heat in the bed was amplified by the bodies tangled with one another. The heat was intense, pulsating to a level that they could clearly feel the hammering of their hearts behind their ears.
Hands grabbed wildly as they continued this dangerous dance of passion. Hair mussed, clothes wrinkled beyond recognition, they seeked solace in each others' embrace, satisfied for the time being that at least someone was more than willing to hold them in their arms, to have someone pretend to be the person they always wanted to share this moment, this ardor, this… love.
Ryoma's hand did not remain idle as they tried to touch as much skin as they could reach while trying to match the lips that was trying to dominate him. It felt almost like heaven, and when he allowed his mind to cloud the reality he could almost make himself believe it was actually Fuji who he was with. But the bigger body, the harder muscles, and stronger scent kept reminding him that he was not with the tensai at all, that he was probably back at his own home, still talking to the captain or else sleeping with Tezuka on his dreams.
Reason lashed out a reprimand in his mind, reminding him that this was not the way to show Fuji how much he loved him. This was not the actions that would deliver him the tensai's promise of commitment, the reciprocation of his own feelings. This was a contradiction of his very own beliefs and values.
But try as he might pure, raw hunger continued to reign over his body. The yearning for physical closeness, regardless of the fact that it was not his beloved Fuji that was holding him, was stronger and more adamant than the logic he was normally proud to use in its full capacity. And as his mind conjured another well-meant argument to end this spontaneous insanity he continued to match his companion's fervor.
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An intense match. One that necessitate his using all his faculties to overcome the hurdle in front of him. One that completely blew out his expectations to smithereens. One that totally took him by surprise.
Atobe looked over the net to the beaten figure of his adversary. His face was raised, his eyes gazing at the endless blue of the sky he looked the part of a fallen hero; proud and strong in the middle of his defeat. At that precise moment Atobe allowed himself to admit that in this match, even if he had achieved victory for Hyotei, he felt he had been the one who have been conquered.
He reached over to shake his equal's hand, and as the warm flesh made contact with his own he knew without a doubt that the obsession he had been feeling for the Seigaku captain had already crossed the border to true affections, to love, a long time ago.
While the crowd cheered after them Atobe raised Tezuka's hand in the air. To the crowd it was a gesture of sportsmanship, but to Atobe it was a sign that he acknowledged the brunet as his equal. It was a small gesture that held a lot of meaning for him, a guarantee to meet again in the harsh, hard concrete of the courts; an assurance that he would always see him as his equal, a promise that beyond the tennis Atobe would always see him as the man who ingrated himself as the only person he would give his heart to.
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Fuji was an enigma Ryoma could not help but try to decipher, without much luck. Their constant proximity with each other was never enough for the young tennis prodigy. As the other watched over him protectively, like any other sempai should for his kohai, he knew he wanted more than just guidance.
As they meet up in club practices, and meetings, and other recreational activities the other members of the team thought of Ryoma began to wish of a time where he could spend it with Fuji and him alone. He began watching the older boy; his emotions and his actions, with whom he was with and what he was doing, while trying to look for a particular something.
And soon everything reminded him of the tensai. The blue of the sky held no candle over Fuji's captivating cerulean eyes, rarely opened yet still intense in its closed form. His alluring physique hid behind the façade of delicacy, like a bamboo under the assault of unforgiving winds. The rain reminded him of honey-colored locks plastered on his head, supple lips parting for air.
Soon thoughts of the tensai accompanied him everywhere: during his classes, while having practices, even in his sleeps. That was when he finally found the something he had been looking for in his vigilance of the tensai: the actual feelings he had for him. Ryoma finally knew that the simple desire to beat the second best player of Seigaku had turned into something more serious, a yearning to be in his presence all the time, to have his attention focus solely on him, to have Fuji love him back as he give his own love to him.
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Shards of reality flitted by as the madness continued. Minds reasoned out as instinct tried to rule over. The sweltering heat contradicting the bitter cold of the air, trying to block out the reality and submitting to the cries of their body.
Lips met lips
Atobe threw a yearning look at the proud visage of Tezuka, wanting to shield him from the world and monopolizing his attention
Tongues stroked with a degree of ardor.
Ryoma itched to stand beside Fuji, to feel if those brown lock were as soft as they looked, if the tanned skin was as smooth as it seemed.
Hands met warm flesh.
He tried to conceal the excitement he felt as their hands met for the first time, brushing over one another to create a friction…
Warmth…
Heat…
…Passion.
Eyes opened and dark blue met golden.
He felt an uncharacteristic giddiness as the other conveyed his feelings through their eyes. He knew this was their own special communication, and he felt that he was seeing another side of the person who had captured his heart…
"We should stop."
The words flew out of someone's mouth. Who spoke the words between the two of them; they didn't know and didn't particularly care. They had thought about the same thing, and that was what was important.
Atobe pulled his body from pinning the smaller form of Ryoma to the bed and unceremoniously collapsed beside him. Ryoma raised his hand to cover his eyes as he tried to recover from the rush of feelings that engulfed him after almost engaging in sex with the person he was not in-love with.
Minutes passed, and their breathing evened, their racing hearts somewhat mellowed down. Neither one spoke a word or made any sudden move. They contented themselves in the silence that enveloped them as they contemplated the consequences they almost had to face if they had continued.
It was some time before one of them made a move to discuss what has just transpired between them and when one did it was surprising to find Ryoma to be the first one to break the silence.
"Yup, I am drunk."
Atobe gave an unflattering snort as a response before retorting, "Ore-sama is the one to plead temporary insanity this night."
Ryoma turned his head to look directly at Atobe and their eyes met before they dissolved in fits of hysterical laughter, amused by everything. They laughed for every unfulfilled desire, every yearning and longing, every unnoticed looks and overtures they had encountered. When their laughter subsided a brooding silence once again descended upon them.
This time Atobe was the first one to break the silence. "Let's just forget this has happened brat. No one needs to know what transpired between us."
"Che, as if I'd want to tell anyone I had the misfortune of exchanging saliva with the monkey king," Ryoma scoffed.
"Huh! And weren't you the one so eager to have a taste of my magnificent self?" Atobe countered haughtily. "You initiated this, if my memory serves me right."
Ryoma blinked blankly at him. "I am drunker than I think if I actually did that. Maybe we should sleep it off and maybe in the morning it'll all be some nightmare." Then he grinned.
"You look cute all rational when you're grinning like a fool," Atobe teased, which resulted in highly satisfying tell-tale blush from the other.
"Shut up! Just sleep it off, damn it," Ryoma muttered under his breath as turned to hide his blush.
Atobe laughed as his suddenly shy companion locked in his sulky mood. He stood up to close the door to his terrace, a precaution since mornings tended to be rather cold. He returned from his previous position only to find the younger boy already losing to the much needed sleep. Still chuckling, he reached down for the cover. He enclosed both their bodies with the warm blankets and followed Ryoma to the path of unconsciousness.
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Even how much he wished sleep to take over him this night Fuji still stared at his ceiling in wide-eyed apprehension. He could not drive away the feelings. Ever since he got home he had been feeling a strange uneasiness. He could not explain why he was feeling so, and it irritated him more that he understood none of his feelings.
He tossed his blanket aside in frustration, getting up from his bed and putting on his slippers. He stood up and walked towards his window, setting aside his precious cacti and sitting on the window sill. He looked towards the horizon, still trying to decipher the strange feelings.
It might have started when Echizen bade them all farewell during their victory party. He had wanted to argue against it but he didn't get a chance when after explaining his reason for leaving he did not waste anytime for anyone to formulate a better argument against his leave-taking. Later, when he still felt a little bit uneasy about the younger boy's departure he called his home to inquire after him.
But as it turned out Echizen did not arrive home at all and had actually called earlier to say he was staying over a friend's house. That confused him entirely because as far as he knew the only people close enough for the younger boy to actually call 'friends' and agree upon a sleep over were the regulars of Seigaku. But he drove it out of his mind, assuring himself that Echizen has a life outside tennis and Seigaku and he could have as many friends as he liked.
But as the night progressed the twinge of worry become a sense of apprehension that he could not understand at all. So here he was, still wide awake, thinking about the things he could not understand at, he glanced at his beside clock, 3:00 in the morning.
"We'll meet later at practice. Then I'll ask him about last night," he said to himself.
He looked at the horizon for some minutes before he returned back to his bed, willing himself to the much needed rest. At last, even if his ill-feelings were still unquenched, he found himself lulled to sleep with the thoughts of the younger tennis prodigy in his mind.
Thousands of miles in another continent a certain captain could not the drive away the same apprehensive feelings.
TBC…
Whew! I re-typed (I'm not really fond of writing, I tend to just open my computer when an idea pops in my head) this chapter more than ten times. I originally had a lemon or a lime planned for this chapter but when I re-read it the whole thing kind of looked so… quick? I don't know the right term for it. Nevertheless the relationship between Atobe and Ryoma was coming in too fast, and them having sex kind of felt like it was so sudden. So I just did this one to establish the attraction first, as well as contrasting it to the extent of their feelings for Tezuka and Fuji.
I hope you like it. A few more chapters and the pairing will become definitive. The next chapter will come out soon; I just need to re-type some parts to cohere with this chapter.
Once again thank you for continued patronage of Double Standards. Until the next chapter! In the mean time, please review V^^V.
nicki-gurl
